Edward J. Cleary Award

The Cleary Award is given to an individual who is an outstanding performer in the management of environmental protection enterprises conducted under either public or private auspices and has demonstrated exemplary professional conduct, personal leadership, originality in devising new environmental protection techniques, and sensitivity and responsiveness to social, economic, and political factors in environmental protection.

For the full list of eligibility criteria and information on how you can submit nominations for a worthy Environmental Engineer or Environmental Scientist, click here.

2024 Edward J. Cleary Award Recipient

Robert C. Williams, P.E., BCEE

Rear Admiral Bob Williams, USPHS (ret.), has more than 45 years of experience in environmental engineering and public health.   During his career, he served in the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps.  In these assignments, he addressed environmental issues across the Southeastern United States, Panama, and Puerto Rico.  He developed national public health assessment and public health advisory programs addressing over 2000 National Priorities List Sites and RCRA sites.  As Chief Engineer, he co-led efforts addressing the environmental public health impacts of the World Trade Center attacks of 9/11.  As Deputy Surgeon General, he led 6500 uniformed personnel in achieving the public health mission of protecting, promoting and advancing the health and safety of the Nation, through a matrix management of activities within Public Health Service agencies and in response actions to national emergencies. 

RADM Williams is a Registered Professional Engineer and serves, or has served, as an officer and member of national committees for several professional organizations including:  American Water Works Association, Water Environment Federation, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE Fellow Grade), Society of American Military Engineers (SAME Fellow), AMSUS, and the Commissioned Officers Association of the US Public Health Service.  He has authored and presented more than 100 publications on a wide variety of environmental health issues, including the co-editing of four books.  He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Stanley E. Kappe Award, PHS Distinguished Service Medals and Surgeon General’s Medallions, the ASCE President’s Award and Federal Engineer of the Year Award, and the AMSUS Gorgas Medal and Lifetime Achievement Award. 

RADM Williams is actively involved in the Academy.  He is the Chair of the AAEES Certification Board and Chair of the Bylaws Policies and Procedures Committee.  He serves on the AAEES Eminence Committee and on the Board of the Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation.

He currently is a private consultant on public health and environmental engineering matters.  He and his wife, Karen, live near San Antonio, Texas.

Past Winners